Tissue marking device and method of use

ABSTRACT

A tissue marking device enables the deployment of a hook to mark a location within a breast. The deployment is performed by inserting a needle in tissue until it arrives at a target location and pressing on the end of a rod that embeds the hook in the tissue. A thread is attached to the hook and is left exposed to facilitate locating the hook.

BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to surgical tissueidentification and removal, and more specifically, to a marking specifictissues within a breast for removal prior to surgery.

2. Description of Related Art

Tissue marking is well known in the art and are effective means toindicate which tissue is to be tracked or removed. For example, FIGS. 1Aand 1B depict a conventional wire marker device 101 having semi-rigidwire 103 with a hook 105 at the far end 107. During use, the wire 103 isforced through a needle 109 that is positioned near target tissue 111 ofa breast 113 until the hook 105 emerges, releasing the hook 105 in thetissue 111. The needle 109 is removed leaving the wire protruding fromthe skin 115. The wire 103 and hook 105 enable a surgeon to quicklylocate and remove the marked tissue 111.

One of the problems commonly associated with device 101 is its limiteduse. For example, the process of locating and marking the tissuerequires the use of ultrasound and x-ray machines and is lengthy. Thewire 103 is rigid and if pushed the hook 105 could be displaced limitingthe time of marking to just prior to surgery to avoid displacing thehook 105.

Additionally, the patient is generally at unease prior to a surgery andit would be beneficial to perform the marking on a different day torelieve the pressure of the pending surgery. The time required to markthe tissue can be extensive further straining the patient.

Accordingly, although great strides have been made in the area of tissuemarking, many shortcomings remain.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the embodiments of thepresent application are set forth in the appended claims. However, theembodiments themselves, as well as a preferred mode of use, and furtherobjectives and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description when read in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1A and 1B are cross-sectional side views of a of a common wiremarker device;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sectional side views of a tissue markingdevice in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the presentapplication;

FIGS. 3A and 3B are cross-sectional side views of the device of FIGS. 2Aand 2B in use;

FIG. 4 is a side view an alternative embodiment of the hook and threadof FIGS. 2A and 2B;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of an alternative embodiment ofthe needle of FIGS. 2A and 2B; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the preferred method of use of the device ofFIGS. 2A and 2B.

While the device and method of use of the present application issusceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specificembodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawingsand are herein described in detail. It should be understood, however,that the description herein of specific embodiments is not intended tolimit the invention to the particular embodiment disclosed, but on thecontrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the presentapplication as defined by the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Illustrative embodiments of the device and method of use of the presentapplication are provided below. It will of course be appreciated that inthe development of any actual embodiment, numerousimplementation-specific decisions will be made to achieve thedeveloper's specific goals, such as compliance with system-related andbusiness-related constraints, which will vary from one implementation toanother. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effortmight be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit ofthis disclosure.

The device and method of use in accordance with the present applicationovercomes one or more of the above-discussed problems commonlyassociated with conventional wire marker devices. Specifically, thedevice of the present application enables the rapid marking of tissuedays prior to the surgery. In addition, the device of the presentapplication enables the patient to move about without discomfort ordislocating the hook marking the target tissue. These and other uniquefeatures of the device and method of use are discussed below andillustrated in the accompanying drawings.

The device and method of use will be understood, both as to itsstructure and operation, from the accompanying drawings, taken inconjunction with the accompanying description. Several embodiments ofthe device are presented herein. It should be understood that variouscomponents, parts, and features of the different embodiments may becombined together and/or interchanged with one another, all of which arewithin the scope of the present application, even though not allvariations and particular embodiments are shown in the drawings. Itshould also be understood that the mixing and matching of features,elements, and/or functions between various embodiments is expresslycontemplated herein so that one of ordinary skill in the art wouldappreciate from this disclosure that the features, elements, and/orfunctions of one embodiment may be incorporated into another embodimentas appropriate, unless described otherwise.

The preferred embodiment herein described is not intended to beexhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Itis chosen and described to explain the principles of the invention andits application and practical use to enable others skilled in the art tofollow its teachings.

Referring now to the drawings wherein like reference characters identifycorresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, FIG. 2depicts a side view of a tissue marking device in accordance with apreferred embodiment of the present application. It will be appreciatedthat device 201 overcomes one or more of the above-listed problemscommonly associated with conventional wire marker devices.

In the contemplated embodiment, device 201 includes a thread 203 rigidlyattached to a hook 205 that is embedded in targeted tissue 111 of abreast 113.

The hook 205 and thread 203 are deployed by a tool 207 once near tissue111. The tool 207 including a needle 209 and a rod 219 configured toenter the breast 113 and place the hook 205 in the targeted tissue 111.

The needle 209 having a body 211 that encloses a first tube 213 open ona first end 215 and a second end 217. The rod 219 enclosing a secondtube 221 also open on a first 223 end and second end 225. The rodconfigured to sit in the first tube 213 of needle 209 and hold hook 205and thread 203. The thread 203 of a length so that it extends out of thesecond ends 217 and 225 of the needle 209 and rod 219 respectively.

In use, the hook 205 is seated in the second end 225 of the rod 219 asdepicted in FIGS. 3A and 3B. The tool 207 is forced in the breast 113until the second end 217 of the needle 209 reaches the target tissue111. The first end 223 of the rod 219 is pressed causing the hook 205 toextend past the second end 217 of the needle and embed in the tissue111. The needle 209 and rod 219 are removed leaving the thread 203protruding from the skin 115 and attached to the hook 205.

It should be appreciated that one of the unique features believedcharacteristic of the present application is that hook 205 can beembedded in a targeted tissue 111 and still enable a patient to performmost normal activities allowing the hook 205 to be placed far in advanceof the surgery.

Referring now to FIG. 4 a side view of an alternative embodiment of thehook 205 and thread 203 is depicted. Embodiment 401 having a thread 403rigidly attached to a hook 405. The hook 405 having a first marking band407 rigidly attached. The thread 403 having a second marking band 409rigidly attached. It will be appreciated that bands 407, 409 areconfigured to communicate a set distance to further facilitate themeasurement of targeted tissue 111 or to distinguish between multiplemarked tissues 111. It will be appreciated that any arrangement ofmarking 407, 409 bands is contemplated.

Referring now to FIG. 5 a cross-sectional side view of an alternativeembodiment of the needle 209 and tool 207 are depicted. Embodiment 501including a needle 503 and tool 505 the tool 505 having an elbow portion507. The elbow portion 507 is configured to control the deployment ofthe hook 203. It will be appreciated that tool 505 is pushed until elbowportion 507 of the tool 505 contacts the needle 503. It will also beappreciated that elbow portion 507 is intended to limit the movement oftool 505 in needle 503 and that this same effect could be achieved withother stopping methods such as rubber or plastic stoppers could be used.

Referring now to FIG. 6 the preferred method of use of device 201 isdepicted. Method 601 including loading the hook and thread in the rodand needle 603, inserting the tool in a breast so that the hook is neara targeted tissue 605, pressing the rod to extend the hook past theneedle and embed in the tissue 607, removing the needle and rod from thebreast 609, leaving the thread exposed from the skin 611, securing thethread to the skin 613 and having the patient return at a later time forthe surgery 615.

The particular embodiments disclosed above are illustrative only, as theembodiments may be modified and practiced in different but equivalentmanners apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of theteachings herein. It is therefore evident that the particularembodiments disclosed above may be altered or modified, and all suchvariations are considered within the scope and spirit of theapplication. Accordingly, the protection sought herein is as set forthin the description. Although the present embodiments are shown above,they are not limited to just these embodiments, but are amenable tovarious changes and modifications without departing from the spiritthereof.

What is claimed:
 1. A tissue marking device comprising: a thread of flexible construction rigidly attached to a hook; and a tool for positioning the hook in a targeted tissue of a breast; the tool comprising: a needle including a body and a first tube, the first tube having an open first end and second end; and a rod including a second tube open on a first end and a second end, the rod comprising an elbow portion at the first end of the rod, wherein the elbow portion is configured to stop movement of the rod in the needle; wherein the rod passes through the first tube of the needle while the thread extends through the second tube of the rod out the first end of the rod and first end of the needle, and the second end of the rod is configured to hold the hook; and wherein the rod is configured to extend the hook into a patient's skin into the targeted tissue and the needle and rod are configured to be removed leaving the thread protruding from the skin.
 2. The device of claim 1 wherein the hook has at least one marking band rigidly attached.
 3. The device of claim 1 wherein the thread has at least one marking band rigidly attached.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the at least one marking band is elevated from the central axis of the thread.
 5. A method of marking tissue comprising: inserting the device of claim 1 in a breast of a patient such that the hook is near a targeted tissue; pressing the rod to extend the hook past the needle and embed in the tissue; and removing the needle and rod from the breast.
 6. The method of claim 5, comprising having the patient return at a later time for a surgery.
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising leaving the thread exposed from the skin of the patient; and securing the thread to the skin of the patient.
 8. A tissue marking device comprising: a thread of flexible construction rigidly attached to a hook; and a tool for positioning the hook in a targeted tissue of a breast; the tool comprising: a needle including a body and a first tube, the first tube having an open first end and second end; and a rod including a second tube also open on a first end and a second end, the rod comprising a rubber stopper at the first end of the rod, wherein the rubber stopper is configured to stop movement of the rod in the needle; wherein the rod passes through the first tube of the needle while the thread extends through the second tube of the rod out the first end of the rod and first end of the needle, and the second end of the rod is configured to hold the hook; and wherein the rod is configured to extend the hook into a patient's skin into the targeted tissue and the needle and rod are configured to be removed leaving the thread protruding from the skin.
 9. The device of claim 8, wherein the hook has at least one marking band rigidly attached.
 10. The device of claim 8, wherein the thread has at least one marking band rigidly attached.
 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the at least one marking band is elevated from the central axis of the thread.
 12. A method of marking tissue comprising: inserting the device of claim 8 in a breast of a patient such that the hook is near a targeted tissue; pressing the rod to extend the hook past the needle and embed in the tissue; and removing the needle and rod from the breast.
 13. The method of claim 12, comprising having the patient return at a later time for a surgery.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising leaving the thread exposed from the skin of the patient; and securing the thread to the skin of the patient.
 15. A tissue marking device comprising: a thread of flexible construction rigidly attached to a hook; and a tool for positioning the hook in a targeted tissue of a breast; the tool comprising: a needle including a body and a first tube, the first tube having an open first end and second end; and a rod including a second tube also open on a first end and a second end, the rod comprising a plastic stopper at the first end of the rod, wherein the plastic stopper is configured to stop movement of the rod in the needle; wherein the rod passes through the first tube of the needle while the thread extends through the second tube of the rod out the first end of the rod and first end of the needle, and the second end of the rod is configured to hold the hook; and wherein the rod is configured to extend the hook into a patient's skin into the targeted tissue and the needle and rod are configured to be removed leaving the thread protruding from the skin.
 16. The device of claim 15, wherein the hook has at least one marking band rigidly attached.
 17. The device of claim 15, wherein the thread has at least one marking band rigidly attached.
 18. The device of claim 17, wherein the at least one marking band is elevated from the central axis of the thread.
 19. A method of marking tissue comprising: inserting the device of claim 15 in a breast of a patient such that the hook is near a targeted tissue; pressing the rod to extend the hook past the needle and embed in the tissue; and removing the needle and rod from the breast.
 20. The method of claim 19, comprising having the patient return at a later time for a surgery.
 21. The method of claim 20, further comprising leaving the thread exposed from the skin of the patient; and securing the thread to the skin of the patient. 